"Not knowing where you're heading isn't always a bad thing. But you have to maintain confidence that you'll arrive. Sometimes, you don't even know why you're doing what you're doing. But you have to remind yourself of why you started." - V. Walstra

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Sunday, December 28, 2014

PACKING FOR SEMESTER AT SEA

Hello! Now, I know that I have not gone on the trip yet, but in the past when I write on packing lists, it seemed to be very popular, so I thought I'd share my packing list for Semester at Sea, for a semester-long (112 days) voyage. But first, a friendly reminder of my personal commandments of packing:

Thou shalt not pack clothes you never wear.

Thou shalt not pack more than you can carry.

Thou shalt not pack high heels.

Thou shalt not pack a fanny pack.

Thou shalt not pack in a suitcase if a backpack will do.

Then, without further to do...DIANA'S PACKING LIST FOR THE SPRING 2015 VOYAGE OF SEMESTER AT SEA:Clothes: As much as possible, things are synthetic fabrics to dry quickly, as everything needs to be drip-dried in the bathroom. Also - this is not a minimalist list. While I love backpacking, Semester at Sea is not a backpacking trip. I have a room on the boat, and don't have to carry all of this whilst I'm travelling in-port. There is no need to wear the same two shirts over and over like I would normally do on a backpacking trip.

School supplies: I mean, it's a semester at sea, not four months of nothing at sea.

Textbooks (9) - required, I had to buy eight and print out one from a PDF a professor sent

Binder/filler paper/dividers (1) - I have one two-ring binder from Swaziland that I just filled with the paper I had left over from IB. It'll be plenty for four months of school.

Full pencil case (1) - some pens, some pencils, a highlighter, a Sharpie. Nothing fancy.

Empty expandable folder (1) - I'm assuming I'm going to get some papers at some point.

Room stuff: The cabin is supposedly small, but I have a feeling after Waterford QB's, it'll be massive.

Magnets (a massive amount): The walls are metal, and we're not allowed to use tape, so magnets are needed for decorating. I bought a roll for magnetic tape at Walmart for two dollars and spent some time making my own.

Air freshener (2): Small room, no windows, bathroom in the room, going to have to drip-dry clothes in such a room... just trying to avoid a disaster

Pictures for the walls (lots): because white walls are my worst enemy

Travel necessities: Seriously, though. In my book, these are almost always necessities.

Sleeping bag and liner: I have a small-ish one that's warm almost all the time. It makes risky hostels a lot less disgusting. I use a liner just to keep the bag clean, as the liner is much easier to wash. Also, camping.

Passport: Duh.

Credit card and debit card: As much as I budget travel, some money is going to be spent. Withdrawing from ATMs in foreign ports is so much easier than trying to find a currency conversion place.

Travel towels: I know this is random, but seriously, don't bring a normal towel. I use a konga and a microfiber towel, and have a microfiber facecloth as well. Not only do these not take up space, but they dry amazingly fast, which is the important part.

Bags: Because I'm not going around the world with this stuff loose.

Backpack: My trusty thing. I stole it from my mom's closet in 2010 and it has been attached to my back ever since.

Overnight bag: Medium sized, with a shoulder strap

School pack: For classes on the ship

Shoulder bag + tiny purse + string tie backpack: They take up very little space, and it's nicer to have the right bag for the day, whether it's hiking a mountain or going out at night.